Pirates ´100 percent´ behind Leal, says Josephs

Orlando Pirates goalkeeper Moeneeb Josephs says Julio Leal has the backing of every single one of his players.

It has been reported that some of the senior players are unhappy with the Brazilian’s team selections and training methods, and that the coach has lost the dressing-room.

But Josephs, who has been cited as one of the players behind a plot to get rid of the coach, says Leal has their full support.

“We players are together and we are 100 percent behind the coach,” Josephs told Kickoff.com.

“There is no truth in reports that I’m a band leader and there is absolutely nothing wrong in our camp.”

After their early elimination in the CAF Champions League, Josephs said the Pirates are ready to bounce back in the Nedbank Cup, where they face minnows Ethekwini Coastal FC in the last 32 on Saturday.

“We are going to concentrate on our own game, that’s important,” Josephs said. “We want to dictate things because we are the defending champions.”

“It is not that we underestimate them. We don’t know much about them, but we know we are going to be up against tough opposition because anyone who comes up against Pirates – no matter where they are or who they are – will be motivated, so it’s important that we stick to our game-plan.”